Effects of fin
Effects of fin per inch on heat transfer and pressure drop
of an air cooler with circular and hexagonal fins
Ali Falavand
Jozaei1, Mehdi Mosavi Navaei2, Alireza Baheri3,
1Department of Mechanics, Ahvaz Branch,
Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran
2Arvand Petrochemical Co., Iran
3Engineering Group, Dezful Branch, Islamic
Azad University, Dezful, Iran
Corresponding
author email: [email protected]
Abstract: Operation
enhancement in an air cooler (heat exchanger) depends on rate of heat transfer,
and pressure drop. In this paper for a given heat duty, study of the effects of
FPI (fin per inch) and fin type (circular and hexagonal fins) on two parameters
mentioned above is considered in an air cooler in Iran, Arvand petrochemical. A
program in EES (Engineering Equations Solver) software moreover, Aspen B-JAC
and HTFS+ softwares are used for this purpose to solve governing equations. At
first the simulated results obtained from this program is compared to the
experimental data for two cases of FPI. The effects of FPI from 3 to 15 over
heat transfer (Q) to pressure drop ratio (Q/Δp ratio). This ratio is one of the
main parameters in design, rating,
and simulation heat exchangers. The results show that heat transfer (Q) and
pressure drop increase with increasing FPI (fin per inch) steadily, and the
Q/Δp ratio increases to FPI=12 (for circular fins about 47% and for hexagonal
fins about 69%) and then decreased gradually to FPI=15 (for circular fins about
5% and for hexagonal fins about 8%), and Q/Δp ratio is maximum at FPI=12. The
FPI value selction between 8 and 12 obtained as a result to optimum heat
transfer to pressure drop ratio. Also by contrast, between circular and
hexagonal fins results, the Q/Δp ratio of hexagonal fins more than Q/Δp ratio
of circular fins for FPI between 8 and 12 (optimum FPI).
[Falavand Jozaei A, Navaei MM, Baheri A. Effects of fin
per inch on heat transfer and pressure drop of an air cooler with circular and
hexagonal fins. Life Sci J 2013;10(1):49-56]
(ISSN:1097-8135).http://www.lifesciencesite.com.
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Keywords: air cooler; fin per inch; heat transfer;
pressure drop; circular and hexagonal fins Full Text 8
